Go Beyond

I love to read. My parents and my grandfather nurtured my love for reading when I was a kid by keeping me supplied with books. When I was in grade school I wore out my library card by reading every book about dinosaurs and discovery and exploration on the bookshelves. My beautiful mother was a reader. In the year before she died, we both read the same books about Mother Teresa and had some wonderful discussions. Over the years I have accumulated a library of more than two-thousand books. However, as much as I love holding a book in my hand, I now do all of my reading on my Kindle or my iPad. These electronic devices have revolutionized reading by giving readers instant access to hundreds of thousands of titles at affordable prices.

Over the past two weeks I have been reminded of how much I enjoy reading by observing other readers. My pastor, Alex Kennedy, is a reader. On our recent trip to Cambodia, Pastor Alex read four books. Every now and then he would turn to me and say, “You’ve got to hear this!” Or, he would hand me the book he was reading and say, “You’ve got to read this!” I’m glad he did. When we got to Bangkok I downloaded my own copy of one of those books onto my iPad. This led to some great dialogue along the way about what we were reading.

A few days ago I had lunch with some friends who asked me to give them a quick primer on how to use their new Kindle. On Saturday, my youngest daughter and I made a quick trip to the grocery store where I saw a man leaning on his cart and reading a book on his Kindle while his wife shopped. Yesterday morning, my friend Jon Davis told me about the books that he and Amanda purchased to give to their kids on Christmas. Jon and Amanda’s kids are avid readers. Last night my oldest daughter reminded me that I had promised to buy her a copy of “Decision Points” by former President Bush. I think she wants it now!

I’m glad that I had family and teachers who challenged and encouraged me to read when I was a kid. Their efforts started me on what became a lifelong journey of discovery and learning. Lifelong readers are lifelong learners. As parents, one of the best things that we can do for our kids is to instill in them a love for reading. Here are a few suggestions on how to do that.

Read to your kids. | Begin reading to your kids when they are young. Read stories that will stimulate their interest and imagination. And, be sure to be expressive as you read, using different voices for different characters.

Set an example of reading. | If you want for your kids to become interested in reading, then model it for them on a consistent basis.

Talk about what you are reading. | Talk to your kids about something interesting that you read. But, tell them in such a way that you pique their curiosity and interest in the subject. Be prepared to answer any questions they ask.

Visit the library with your kids. | Take your kids to the library and teach them how to look for books on their favorite subjects, hobbies, or interests. While you are at it, teach them how to care for the books they check out.

Buy books for your kids. | Take your kids to the bookstore and let them select a book that interests them. Do this on a regular basis and help them to build their own library.

Make books accessible in your home. | Start your own library at home. Stock your library with a variety of age-appropriate titles.

Set aside time for reading. | Consider setting aside an evening for reading. Ask your kids to select a favorite book to read to the family. Encourage them to read with expression.

Give books as gifts. | On birthdays and at Christmas, be sure to include at least one book as a gift. Or, give a gift card to a local bookstore and let your kids select their own books.

Don’t forget magazines. | Subscribe to magazines that your kids will enjoy reading and that will help them to learn about the world at large and about the many peoples who inhabit our planet.